Pastor’s Corner: “Prescription of Laughter”
Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength
Job 8:21 (NLT) – 21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Pandemic, disease, hurricanes, political corruption and upheaval, riots, economic pressures, divorce, no jobs, drugs, death! Pretty serious scene, isn’t it? This is the emotional environment in which we live. In spite of these bleak surroundings—or perhaps because of—I firmly believe we need a good dose of Solomon’s counsel. Listen to David’s wisest son: “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. . . . All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. . . . A joyful heart is good medicine [the Hebrew says, ’causes good healing’], but a broken spirit dries up the bones” (Prov. 15:13, 15; 17:22). Broken spirits and dry bones is a good description of how many feel in this crazy environment. But Solomon points to a cure.
All that we are facing isn’t funny, but humor is healing. An Internet site advises this Wellness Tip: here are a dozen well-being benefits of laughter: Increases antibodies in saliva that combats upper respiratory infections. Secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers. Conditions the abdominal muscles. Relaxes muscles throughout the body. Aids in reducing symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism. Changes perspective. Has positive benefits on mental functions. Reduces blood pressure and heart-rate. Helps the body fight infection. Releases endorphins which provide natural pain relief. Tightens stomach muscles. Helps move nutrients and oxygen to body tissues. AND, it makes you feel good!”
Studies have shown babies and children laugh hundreds of times a day. Adults, on the other hand, often barely make it to double digits. Even joyful people can feel weighed down by the pressures and heartaches of life. But Jesus said “whoever humbles himself like a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven “(Matthew 18:4).
Have the overwhelming circumstances we live in begun to shrivel you into a bitter, impatient, critical Christian? The Lord tells us that the solution is simple: “A joyful heart” is what we need . . . and if ever we needed it, it is now. By a sense of humor I mean that necessary ingredient of wit: those humorous, enjoyable, and delightful expressions or thoughts that lift our spirits and lighten our day. When we lose our ability to laugh—I mean really laugh—life’s oppressive assaults confine us to the dark dungeon of defeat.
Personally, I think a healthy sense of humor is determined by at least three abilities: 1.The ability to laugh at our own mistakes. 2. The ability to accept justified criticism—and get over it! 3. The ability to interject (or at least enjoy) wholesome humor when surrounded by a tense, heated situation. James M. Gray and William Houghton were two great, Godly men. Dr. Houghton writes of a time when he and Dr. Gray were praying together. Dr. Gray, though getting up in years, was still interested in being an effective witness. He concluded his prayer by saying: “And, Lord, keep me cheerful. Keep me from becoming a cranky, old man!”
Psalm 126:2 (NLT) – 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. I’m so thankful our Lord has a sense of humor. Of course being a Christian is serious business, but there are also plenty of lighthearted moments when we just need to laugh at life. It’s time to turn your troubles over to God and become more like a child—full of joy and laughter.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton